Summary
While BioWare’sMass Effectfranchise is known for its captivating worlds and narratives, a longstanding fan-favorite feature is undoubtedly its companion characters.Mass Effect’s companionshave always encompassed a fairly wide range of personalities and backstories, and typically serve as satisfying side adventures for players to enjoy when they’re not focused on a game’s main story. Judging by BioWare’s history with compelling companions,Mass Effect 4will likely feature companions of the same caliber.
Every companion in theMass Effectuniverse has their merits, but none stands out quite like Legion. As a Geth mobile platform, Legion presented players with a companion unlike any other, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise and setting a new standard for future companions. Unfortunately, Legion appeared inMass Effect 2a little too late and then was killed off inMass Effect 3, resulting in what could arguably be deemed “wasted potential.” Now, withMass Effect 4on the horizon, BioWare should consider the impact that Legion has had on the story and introduce a new Geth companion for players to bond with.
Why Mass Effect 4 Needs a Geth Companion
Legion Is One of Mass Effect’s Most Thought-Provoking Companions
Of every argument forMass Effect 4to include a Geth companion, Legion is undoubtedly the most compelling. TheMass Effectseries has seen many characters fight alongside the main protagonist, but Legion is by far one of the franchise’s most thought-provoking companions. This is largely due to the fact that they are a Geth mobile platform, a race who were, up until Legion’s appearance, presented solely as an enemy force that must be stopped. WhenLegion arrived on the scene near the end ofMass Effect 2, they added nuance to the collective perception of the Geth, especially as Legion became more self-aware and began exploring questions such as identity and morality.
One of Legion’s most intriguing characteristics was found in their logical and calculated approach to every circumstance, as they left emotion entirely out of the picture — though they attempted to understand it to the point that it would often appear as thoughLegion actually had a soul. Legion’s logical approach to every situation presented players with major ethical dilemmas that might not otherwise be present under the influence of emotion. These dilemmas encouraged players to navigate the prejudices present in theMass Effectuniverse and thereby added layers of complexity to Legion’s character arc that would be nearly impossible for any sentient companion to achieve.
Legion Was Arguably Wasted Potential in the Mass Effect Trilogy
Despite being such a thought-provoking companion, Legion was largely wasted potential in the originalMass Effecttrilogy. As the last companion to join the squad inMass Effect 2, he only first shows up as the story is coming to a close and is then killed off inMass Effect 3. Since Legion was most likely created by BioWare to challenge perceptions of the Geth, it makes little sense why Legion would play such an insignificant role in the series.Mass Effect 4could explore this concept even further by adding a Geth companion to its roster, especially if there were any waythe Geth could have survived Mass Effect 3’s destroy ending.
It hasn’t been confirmed whether the Geth will be present inMass Effect 4, but a poster for the game shared on N7 day in 2021 seems to tease their return. If this turns out to be true, there is very little reason why a Geth companion inMass Effect 4would be left off the table considering how much Legion added to the game inMass Effect 2andMass Effect 3. WithDragon Age: Dreadwolfreceiving a full summer revealthis year, it’s likelyMass Effect 4is still a fair bit away, but BioWare may at least provide updates on the game as its release approaches.
